Gilroy in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Rucker School Historical Site 1894

By Syd Whittle, April 25, 2009

1. Rucker School Historical Site 1894 Marker

Inscription. The Catherine Dunn Ranch once part of the Rancho San Francisco de Las Llagas Spanish land grant was divided in 1893 and sold to early settlers to form Rucker Township.

Education was especially important to these pioneers who had been through dreadfully tough times. They worked hard to raise $5,000 in 1894 to build Rucker School and community center. The once two story building provided the physical assurance that their children would have access to an excellent education and better life.

The 1906 earthquake damaged the bell tower. Twice in the following years the school burned to the ground. Everything gone, except this strong and solid BELL still serving today as the spirit and strength of this community and faculty. Rucker School has been known for academic enrichment through theater arts since its humble beginning. The School was unified in 1966. We are lucky as most small country schools were closed and students bussed to town.

This bell rings out clear each year on graduation day as testament to the maturity of the students through the steadfast efforts of this community and Ruckerís excellent teachers.

Marker series. This marker is included in the E Clampus Vitus marker series.

Location. 37° 3.224′ N, 121° 35.232′ W. Marker is in Gilroy, California, in Santa Clara County. Click for map. Marker and bell are located on the grounds of the Rucker School. Marker is at or near this postal address: 325 Santa Clara Avenue, Gilroy CA 95020, United States of America.

Credits. This page originally submitted on , by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. This page has been viewed 1,058 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on , by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016.